Can opener



July 26, 1938. P CU| |NOV|C 2,124,732

CAN OPENER Filed Allg. ll, 1937 n I mu 7 Helln @uf/buvait BLQMw/h www am Aorneys Patented July 26, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT 0F-FICE ZCIaims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in openers particularly for beer cans and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of 5 this character embodying novel means for preventing the beer from squirting or spraying when the initial penetration of the can is made, while at the same time permitting the air and other gases to escape freely.

l Other objects of the invention are to provide a can opener of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly emcient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured l at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:-

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a can opener constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the device applied to a can. iuolligure 2 is a View in bottom plan of the inven- Figure 3 is a fragmentary view principally in 3 vertical longitudinal section on the line 3 3 of Figure 2. V.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substan- Il tially flat, taperedmetallic bar i having on one end an integral, offset handle 2. The handle 2 is provided with an opening 3 in its free end portion for hanging the device on a hook, nail or other suitable support when said device is not in use. Rigidly mounted beneath the inner portion of the handle 2 is a depending hook l which is engageable beneath the rim 5 of a can 6, as best seen in Figure 1 of the drawing.

The reference numeral l designates an arcuate 4I punch which is rigidly secured, .as by rivets 8 or the like on one end portion of the bar I. Interposed between the bar i and the punch 1, and substantially enclosing the latter, is a substantially cup-shaped rubber shield 9. Project- I0 ing from the shield 9 is an integral tapered spout i0 constituting a vent. The securing elements B comprise intermediate enlargements Il which space the punch 1 from the bar I.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. The hook l is engaged under the rim 5 of the can 6 and the punch 1 is engaged with the top of said can closely adjacent the diametrically opposite side thereof, as best seen in Figure 1 of the drawing. Upward pressure is then exerted on the handle portion 2 for forcing the punch 1 downwardly through the can top. Of course, the 'flexible rubber cup 9 will yield to permit the punch l to penetrate the can. As the beer or other contents of the can squirt or spray therefrom when the initial penetration is made, said beer or other contents will be arrested by the shield 9, the air and other gases escaping through the tapered vent lil. It will thus be seen' that the can may be expeditiously opened in a safe and sanitary manner.

It kis believed that the many advantages of a can opener constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood thaitschanges in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of parts may be rv orted to which will fall within the scope of the nvention as claimed.

What is claimed isz- 1. A can opener of the class described comprising a metallic bar, an arcuate punch rigidly mounted on one end portion of said bar in spaced relation thereto, a substantially cup-shaped resilient shield mounted between the bar and the punch and substantially enclosing the latter, and a tapered vent projecting from said shield.

2. A can opener of the class described comprising a substantially flat, tapered metallic bar, an integral offset handle on one end of said bar, an arcuate metallic punch, rivets rigidly securing said punch to the other end portionof the'bar, said rivets comprising enlarged intermediate portions spacing the punch from the bar, a substantially cup-shaped resilient shield mounted between the bar and the punch and substantially enclosing the latter, and a tapered vent integral with the shield and projecting therefrom. l

' PHIILIP CULINOVIC. 

